Linda Sue Garner

Linda Cover Garner, 83, passed away peacefully after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. The disease took so much, but Linda's friends and family lovingly remember the quick-witted, elegant creative lady she had always been.

Linda Sue was the first child born to Floyd and Sue (Littleton) Cover in 1942 and for six years she was the light of their life. Then Linda took on the role she would cherish—and sometimes disparage—but always delight in: Big Sister. Her siblings followed, beginning with Tommy in 1948, quickly followed by Nancy and finally the baby, Herb in 1952. Linda became the second Mama to the brood, helping navigate the ins and outs of playtime on McClung Avenue in South Knoxville.

Linda was a 1960 graduate of South High School. In 1965 she graduated with a BFA from the University of TN. She would later return for a teaching certificate and enjoy a long career as an Art teacher at Farragut Middle School.

In the interim, after graduating, Linda lived in Atlanta, GA, working for the Trust Company of Georgia. There she met and married Gary Garner and they had a daughter, Rachel in 1973.

Relocating back to Knoxville in the late seventies, Linda fulfilled what seemed to have become a family legacy of art-making in one form or another. Like her younger sister Nancy, she became a beloved art teacher; over the following years, teaching classes, practicing her painting skills and creating one memorable mural at Trinity United Methodist Church on 2nd Avenue in Lenoir City, which is still in place today.

Linda was the self-appointed guardian of all family history, with photos and stories at the ready. Moving into the home that had been built by her Great Grandfather in 1908, family gatherings had special meaning in the beautiful historic home with Linda as Matriarch. She always had a smile, a welcoming hug and her signature giggle to light up the occasion.

She always enjoyed traveling with special friends and spent many wonderful summer days on Edisto Island, SC with her sister Nancy and their mutual friends. At home in Lenoir City, Linda attended weekly services at Trinity United Methodist Church for many years.

As happens so often, life turned a full circle once more when Linda at age 80, moved into the newly renovated and repurposed “South High Senior Living,” the same building that saw the Cover kids through their high school years.

Linda Sue Garner will be missed by so many. Especially her loving sister Nancy (David Irwin), her loving brother Tom Cover (Jennifer), her daughter Rachel Garner, numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews and many many friends--old and new. She is preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Sue and her youngest brother, Herb.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and caregivers who helped care for Linda at South High Senior Living, especially Vicky Miller, who was by Linda’s side for 3 years.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Linda on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 2:00 in the dining room at South High Senior Living. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association of Tennessee or to Random Acts of Flowers.

Online condolences may be left at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Garner family.